68Michael's eyebrows shot up, clearly taken aback by her response. "Wait, you're the CEO's girlfriend, and your only responsibility is to file your nails?" he asked incredulously.She chuckled, a playful glimmer in her eyes. "Oh, honey, you think being the CEO's girlfriend would be easy? It's a full-time job, just in a slightly unconventional way," she retorted, " among others, my role is to file my nails, sip on coffee, and look pretty. It's tough work, you know."As Michael's confusion grew, he couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and amusement at this unexpected revelation. It seemed that this office held a few more surprises than he had initially anticipated.Amidst the flurry of conversations, questionable rules, and peculiar roles, he was left dumbfounded.Michael felt a wave of anger flare up inside him, but he managed to hide it behind a calm façade. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn't resist asking, "How can you say that so easily?"She flashed him a sly smile, clear
69Michael took a deep breath, attempting to tame his frustration. He approached the manager with a calm demeanor and explained, "I've been sent here for an online marketing campaign. My feet are killing me from standing, so may I please have a seat?"The manager simply nodded in response, his expression curious. "And which company are you representing?" he asked.Michael replied confidently, "Goldrex Corporation."The manager's eyes widened, a hint of disbelief evident on his face. "You're the one that such a great company sent to explain the terms of a digital campaign?" he asked in astonishment.Rolling his eyes, Michael retorted, "Is that causing a problem for you?"Shaking his head, the manager sighed and casually crossed and uncrossed his feet, still propped up on the table. He leaned back in his chair and inquired, "So, what is the duration and terms of this campaign?"Without much thought, Michael responded with a smirk, "One week."The manager burst into laughter, unable to c
70Curiosity piqued, Michael asked the manager why they were working at night. He sighed, a weariness evident in his voice."Well, since I have nothing left to lose, I guess I can explain," he began and motioned for Michael to take a seat. "I know it's not ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures," he said wearily.Michael leaned forward and asked again. "Why are we working at night? What's going on?"The manager hesitated for a moment before deciding to open up. "The company is on the brink of bankruptcy," he confessed. "It's all due to the mismanagement of funds and foolish decisions made by our CEO, Mr. Walker."Eyes widening, Michael couldn't help but ask, "How did it get this bad?"The manager sighed again, the weight of the situation evident in his voice. "Mr. Walker's decisions undermined customer confidence, causing many to leave. As the marketing manager, I tried to warn him countless times about the risks, but instead of listening, he threatened me and even forc
Alarmed at the prospect of being caught inside the CEO's office, Michael swiftly made his way to the nearest hiding spot – the restroom. From there, he strained to hear the sound of Wallas knocking on the door, signaling his arrival. Elysia, ever composed, greeted Wallas and opened the door, granting him entry into the office.As Wallas stepped inside, his sharp gaze swept across the room, searching for the elusive CEO. Finally, his eyes fell upon Elysia, and he wasted no time in getting straight to the point. "I've been trying to reach Mr. Walker for days now. Where is he?"Maintaining her calm demeanor, Elysia spoke in measured tones. "Mr. Walker hasn't arrived yet. The state of the company has left him with an immense workload, and he requested not to be disturbed while he works."Wallas, clearly growing impatient, furrowed his brow. "Why doesn't he work alongside his collaborator like other CEOs? And where is Lyra, his secretary? She should be here, shouldn't she?"Elysia shifted
72"I have work to do, Wallas. I don't have time for this."A smug smile tugged at the corners of Wallas' lips. "Oh, so you think you're too important to answer a simple question? Well, I can assure you, Michael, no one is indispensable here."Michael's annoyance bubbled to the surface. He couldn't stand Wallas with his pompous attitude, always acting as if he held all the power in the company. Taking a deep breath, he mustered up the will to respond, though there was a hint of frustration in his voice."I have no obligation to answer your question, Wallas. My business is my own." He attempted to sidestep Wallas and resume his stride down the corridor.But Wallas was having none of it. He grabbed Michael's arm, pulling him back forcefully. "You dare to defy me? I have the authority to fire you on the spot!"Michael's eyes narrowed with irritation. He was tired of Wallas' constant power play, and he wasn't about to let him insulted him. With a calm but determined voice, he spoke. "Go
73Tiffany's gaze dripped with contempt as she shifted her attention to Alex, who stood nearby. She couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire, "You better not hang out with Michael. Trust me, he's a total screw-up. A pathetic excuse of a guy."Tiffany smirked, pleased with her attempt to undermine Michael. She moved closer, lowering her voice slightly so that only he could hear, "You know, Michael, I overheard Wallas talking to some executives earlier. They were discussing some major changes, and it didn't sound good for you. You're done, finished. Kiss your little empire goodbye."Michael raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed by her words. He leaned against the nearby cubicle and crossed his arms casually. "Is that so, Tiffany? And how exactly did you manage to become the bearer of such news? Care to enlighten me?"Tiffany smirked again, relishing in the power she believed she held over him. "Let's just say I have my ways of getting insider information. It's not my fault if you're a com
74"Michael," Wallas called out, beckoning him to join him on stage. Reluctantly, Michael made his way towards Wallas, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on him. Once on stage, his eyes met Tiffany's, and her devilish smile only deepened his unease.Clearing his throat, Wallas introduced Michael to the entire staff, seemingly enjoying the power he held over him. "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Michael, the most foolish and reckless employee this company has ever seen," Wallas sneered. "No one has dared to disrespect me like he has."Michael shifted uncomfortably, his jaw clenched tightly. This was not how he expected the day to unfold.In a show of domination, Wallas continued, "Today, we'll test just how much Michael truly cares about his job." The air grew heavy with anticipation as Wallas demanded, "Kneel."Michael's eyes widened in disbelief. What? Kneel? No way! Thoughts of rebellion flashed through his mind, but helplessness and not causing a scandal by reveali
75Once there, his assistant, Elysia, quickly joined him, entering and closing the door behind her, looking a little nervous and afraid.Michael, noticing Elysia's demeanor, asked with concern, "What's happening, Elysia?"Taking a deep breath, Elysia mustered up the courage to share, "I just attended a meeting with the heads of department, and Wallas mentioned that he hasn't heard from Mr. Walker, the CEO, for several days. In light of this, he proclaimed himself the new CEO until we hear from the former.""What the hell? No way!" Michael exclaimed, feeling a sudden shock at Wallas's audacity. The news immediately heightened the strain he had already been feeling throughout the day.As if synchronized, a brutal knock pounded on the door, causing both Michael and Elysia to jump. The knock sounded again, this time more forcefully, followed by a deep voice—a voice they both instantly recognized as Wallas's. "Whoever is here, open the fucking door now!" he shouted.Michael glanced at Ely